Beefeaters, also known as the Yeoman Warders of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, wear tall hats as a symbol of the Tower of London’s history and previous occupants. The iconic tall fur hats are known as the Yeoman Warders’ Tudor bonnets, and are believed to be a re-creation of 15th century headgear worn by the monarch’s personal bodyguards.
The Yeoman Warders have worn the hats from the late 1500s and are now recognized worldwide as the key symbol of the Tower of London.
The original hats, which had a steel frame inside, would protect the head of the wearer and today they are made to a traditional pattern, with a crown of velvet and a brim of bear or rabbit fur, both of which have been used in the past when the hats were worn solely for practical purposes.
The hats are an important part of the Yeoman Warders’ ceremonial uniforms, along with the red and gold tunic, gilt belt, and black velvet and ermine robe, making them one of the most recognizable and show stopping elements of their costumes.
In addition, the Yeoman Warders’ hats act as a reminder of the Tower’s dramatic history, along with its associations to the English monarchy.
What is the point of a Beefeater hat?
The iconic beret-style hat worn by the Yeomen Warders of the Tower of London, more famously known as the “Beefeaters,” serves much more of a practical purpose than just adding a touch of pageantry and a British flair to their uniform.
Their distinctive hats provide strong protection from the wind, rain and sun since they spend much of their time outdoors as part of their ancient tradition of guarding the Tower of London. The hats also serve an important symbolic role in the job, as they have done for many centuries.
The tall, black, tassel-tipped hats denote their distinguished stature and power as members of an elite group, while also denoting a connection to the long history of their esteemed position and British heritage.
Why do the Kings Guard wear big hats?
The big hats worn by members of the Kings Guard are a part of the tradition and history of the organization that dates back centuries. The hats originally served a practical purpose, as they were designed to protect the guard members from inclement weather and also to provide protection from arrows and other projectiles.
Over in time, the hats evolved to become larger and more decorative. This was done in an attempt to make them more visible and to clearly identify them as members of the Kings Guard. As an iconic part of the organization’s uniform, the hats are thought to represent the sophistication, loyalty, and sense of duty associated with the Kings Guard.
How heavy is a Beefeaters hat?
The weight of a Beefeater’s hat can vary depending on the size and type of hat. Generally, a Beefeater hat is made up of three parts, the top fabric piece, a wire stabilizer and a buckram headband. The fabric piece typically weighs around 5 oz, while the wire stabilizer is usually around 1 oz and the headband is around 2 oz.
This means that a small Beefeater’s hat typically weighs around 8 oz.
Are Queens Guards guns loaded?
Generally speaking, Yes, Queens Guards do carry loaded guns. All members of the Queen’s Guard, comprised of the Infantry, Foot Guards, and Household Cavalry, are equipped with a SA80, a British-made assault rifle.
The gun is loaded with a 30-round magazine of 5.56x45mm live rounds as well as a blank magazine. The guns are typically loaded with blank rounds, which are used for salutes and other ceremonial activities, but the live rounds can be quickly and easily loaded if needed.
Although the guns are kept loaded, the rifle’s safety is kept on at all times and the finger remains outside the trigger guard. The barrels of the rifles are also covered with a red cloth to signify that the weapons are not ready to fire.
The Queen’s Guard, who protect the royal residence, do not carry guns as a day-to-day practice; they are instead used for ceremonial purposes only. However, members of the Sobr, a part of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, carry loaded weapons and patrol the grounds in plainclothes while they are on duty.
Why are British soldiers hats so tall?
British soldiers wear tall hats or bearskins that are part of a uniform designed to be both functional and symbolic. The tall hats are made of fur-felt and lined with leather and weighed nearly a kilogram.
The primary purpose of the tall hat is to provide soldiers with protection from the elements, including rain and sun. The height of the hats was believed to increase its protective capabilities. In addition, the hats were thought to give the soldiers an intimidating appearance.
The hats also had symbolic importance. The style used for British soldiers is called the Busby and was originally adopted by the British in the 17th century. It is modeled after similar hats that were part of the traditional Hungarian hussar uniform.
By adopting the style, the British wanted to both honor the hussars and demonstrate their commitment to martial tradition and courage.
However, the increasing size of the hats was mostly due to competition between regiments to have the tallest hats. Though not authorized, the height of hats often indicated the wealth and reputation of a regiment.
Over time, the height of the hats continued to increase, and officially, the hats had to be a minimum of 12 inches tall for staff officers, and 8 inches tall for sergeants. Today, these regulations still remain and British soldiers continue to wear the tall hats with pride.
How much do the British bear hats weigh?
British bear hats typically vary in weight depending on the type of material used and the specific design of the hat. Most bear hats are made of felt, polyester, or cotton and weigh between 0.13 kg and 0.2 kg.
Larger or thicker versions of the bear hat may weigh a bit more. In addition, the size of the hat also impacts the weight, with larger sizes typically weighing more than smaller sizes. Overall, the average weight of a British bear hat is between 0.13 kg and 0.2 kg.
Are beefeater hats real fur?
No, Beefeater hats are not made of real fur. Beefeater hats, sometimes referred to as the traditional tall red hats with the tassel, are usually made of a synthetic faux fur fabric. This fabric is designed to look like fur without being actually made of fur.
The fabric is usually a blend of polyester and acrylic, or a combination of other synthetic fabrics. The fabric may also incorporate the properties of real fur, such as being soft and luxurious feeling, but without being made of real animal fur.
Why are Royal Guards hats so big?
The iconic Royal Guard hats worn by the Yeomen of the Guard, more commonly known as the Queen’s Guard, are known for their large size. This particular style of headwear, known as a bearskin, has a long and storied history.
The original bearskins, which were made from the fur of Canadian black bears, were made in 1815 by order of Prince George, the Prince Regent, who was the Prince of Wales at the time. At the time, bearskin hats were fashionable among military units, and the Prince Regent wanted the Yeomen of the Guard to have a superior headpiece that showed the guard in a dignified and powerful light.
Since then, the bearskin hats have become synonymous with Royal Guards and remain a common sight to this day. It is believed that the size of the hats was part of the original design, as it was seen as a symbol of authority and strength.
The large size also helps to protect the guard from the elements and ensure that the hat does not come loose in battle.
The fabric used is a waterproof wool blend, and the sizes of the hats range from those that measure around 18 inches tall to the tallest size, an impressive 24 inches in height.
What are the guards with big hats called?
The guards with big hats are typically referred to as Grenadiers. The Grenadier guard is often a ceremonial guard for important people or establishments and can be found in military or police settings.
The Grenadiers’ tall, fur-lined hats can easily be seen from a distance, often featuring a prominent horsehair plume extending from the top. These large busbys are designed to be both striking and intimidating.
The British Army was the first to designate a Grenadier Company within its infantry regiments in 1678, largely due to the bravery of their soldiers who took on an increased hazard in storming enemy fortifications.
Although the Grenadier guard is most commonly associated with the British military, similar regiments can be found in other countries, serving the same purpose.
How much do the Queen’s guards get paid?
The Queen’s guards are full-time salaried employees of the British Army and are not paid by the Queen. However, the starting salary for a Queen’s guard is roughly around £18,000 per year, with the potential to earn more depending on experience and any extra qualifications.
The pay scale for guards increases based on seniority, ranging from £19,373 per year for a Lance Corporal to £36,323 per year for a Staff Sergeant. Furthermore, Queen’s Guards may be eligible for additional allowances such as skill pay and hazardous duty pay.
As members of the British Army, Queen’s Guards are also often eligible for private health benefits, free housing, and up to six weeks paid holiday each year.
Can a woman be a queens guard?
No, unfortunately a woman cannot currently be a Queen’s Guard. Queen’s Guards have held an almost unbroken tradition of serving the reigning monarch since 1660, when the Household Troops were first established.
Since their formation, Queen’s Guards have only been comprised of male soldiers from the five regiments of Foot Guards. Currently, women are still not allowed to serve in the Foot Guards, and therefore, cannot be a Queen’s Guard.
However, the rules are beginning to change. In 2015, the Army announced that all roles, including on the frontline, would be open to women. In June 2018, the British Army announced a proposal to open all military roles in the Army to women.
This is only a proposal as of this writing, but if it’s adopted, they may, in the near future, allow women to become Queen’s Guards.
For now, while a woman cannot currently be a Queen’s Guard, the conversation is ongoing and there may be the opportunity in the future!
Are bearskin hats heavy?
Yes, bearskin hats can be quite heavy. Depending on the type of hat, they may weigh a few pounds or even more. For example, a traditional British officers bearskin hat may weigh about 2 pounds, whereas, a more elaborate style for a grenadier guard may weigh 4-5 pounds or more.
Additionally, these heavier styles may have a waterproof coating that adds an extra layer of weight. Furthermore, these hats are often adorned with feathers and other decorations that can also add to the overall weight of the hat.
Do royal guards wear real bearskin hats?
Yes, royal guards do wear real bearskin hats, known as busbies. The busbies are tall, bearskin hats worn during parades and ceremonies, and are most associated with the soldiers of the British military.
The hats are made of real bear fur, usually sourced from Canadian Black Bears, that are then covered with either wool or polyester cloth. Although the use of real fur has come under some ethical criticism, it is believed that the busbies maintain an important link to British military history and are integral to the royal guard’s traditional “ceremonial dress”.
How many bears does it take to make a bearskin?
It takes only one bear to make a bearskin. A bear’s skin, also called a hide, is made of fur, fat, and other connective tissue. Creating a bearskin rug involves curing and tanning the fur, which involves removing the hide from the animal and then cleaning, salting, and drying it.
Typically, the desired texture and color of the bear fur is achieved by softening the hide with cod oil and then softening the fur in either smoke or with a mixture of alum, flour, and water. Once the hide is cured and tanned, the bearskin is ready to be crafted into a rug or used for a variety of other uses, such as wall coverings, clothing, or in taxidermy.
